Environmental conditioning system for a computer room

ABSTRACT

An environmental conditioning system for a computer room includes a perforated tile, a heat exchanger mounted to the perforated tile, and a forced air system mounted to the heat exchanger. The forced air system being configured and disposed to direct a flow of air having a first temperature into the heat exchanger. The flow of air exits the heat exchanger at a second temperature and passes through the perforated tile into the computer room. The second temperature is distinct from the first temperature.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to the art of environmental conditioning systems and, more specifically, to an environmental conditioning system for a computer room.

Data centers and computer rooms, both large and small, require cooling to offset heat generated by computer components. Often times cooling is provided by building air conditioning systems. However, while effective at cooling work spaces, building air conditioning systems are unable to meet the cooling demands for many of today's IT systems. In order to meet the increased cooling demand for modern IT systems, many companies have turned to dedicated computer room air conditioner (CRAC) systems. CRAC systems provide the necessary cooling for modern IT systems however their use is not feasible in many cases. CRAC systems typically have a large footprint that is undesirable in smaller computer rooms. In such cases, incorporation of a CRAC system would require the elimination of a data server thereby decreasing IT capacity. In addition, CRAC systems cannot be employed in certain raised floor applications.

SUMMARY

According to one exemplary embodiment, an environmental conditioning system for a computer room includes a perforated tile, a heat exchanger mounted to the perforated tile, and a forced air system mounted to the heat exchanger. The forced air system being configured and disposed to direct a flow of air having a first temperature into the heat exchanger. The flow of air exits the heat exchanger at a second temperature and passes through the perforated tile into the computer room. The second temperature is distinct from the first temperature.

According to another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, a computer room floor system includes a support grid defining a plenum. The support grid includes a plurality of tile receiving portions. The floor system also includes at least one environmental conditioning system mounted to the support grid. The at least one environmental conditioning system includes at least one perforated tile arranged in one of the plurality of tile receiving portions, a heat exchanger mounted to the perforated tile, and a forced air system mounted to the heat exchanger. The forced air system is configured and disposed to direct a flow of air having a first temperature into the heat exchanger. The flow of air exits the heat exchanger at a second temperature and passes through the perforated tile into the computer room. The second temperature is distinct from the first temperature.

According to yet another aspect of the exemplary embodiment, a method of conditioning a computer room includes generating a flow of air having a first temperature, guiding the flow of air into a heat exchanger mounted to a perforated tile, conditioning the flow of air to have a second temperature with the second temperature being distinct from the first temperature, and passing the flow of air at the second temperature through the perforated tile into the computer room.

Additional features and advantages are realized through the techniques of the present invention. Other embodiments and aspects of the invention are described in detail herein and are considered a part of the claimed invention. For a better understanding of the invention with the advantages and the features, refer to the description and to the drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

The subject matter which is regarded as the invention is particularly pointed out and distinctly claimed in the claims at the conclusion of the specification. The forgoing and other features, and advantages of the invention are apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is an upper right perspective view of a computer room including an environmental conditioning system in accordance with an exemplary embodiment;

FIG. 2 is an upper left perspective view of the environmental conditioning system of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the environmental conditioning system of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With initial reference to FIG. 1, a computer room in accordance with an exemplary embodiment is indicated generally at 2. Computer room 2 is shown to house a computer server 4 supported upon a floor system 8. In the exemplary embodiment shown, computer room 2 includes a single computer server 4, however, it should be understood that additional computer servers can be supported upon floor system 8. In the exemplary embodiment shown, floor system 8 includes a support grid 12 that is suspended upon a sub floor (not shown) so as to define a plenum 15. Support grid 12 includes a plurality of tile receiving portions 20 that are configured to receive a plurality of individual floor tiles, one of which is indicated at 23. Floor tiles 23 combined to define a floor surface 25 upon which is supported computer server 4. In further accordance with the exemplary embodiment shown, floor system 8 also includes an environmental conditioning system 30 including a first environmental conditioner 32 and a second environmental conditioner 33. As will be discussed more fully below, each of first and second environmental conditioners 32, 33 are arranged in respective ones of the plurality of tile receiving portions 20.

As each environmental conditioner 32, 33 is similarly formed, reference will now be made to FIGS. 2 and 3 in describing first environmental conditioner 32 with an understanding that second environmental conditioner 33 includes corresponding structure. As shown, first environmental conditioner 32 includes a perforated tile 40 having a main body 42 provided with an outer edge 44 that defines a substantially planar surface 46. As noted above, outer edge 44 is configured to be supported within one of the plurality of tile receiving portions 20 in a manner similar to that of floor tile 23. Perforated tile 40 includes a plurality of perforations or openings 48 arranged in substantially planar surface 46. Perforations 48 extend entirely through main body 42 such that currents of air can pass through perforated file 40 in a manner that will be described more fully below.

First environmental conditioner 32 is also shown to include a heat exchanger 60 operatively connected to perforated tile 40. Heat exchanger 60 includes a main body portion 62 provided with an inlet member 65 and an outlet member 66 that are fluidly connected through a fluid tube 68. In addition, main body portion 62 includes a plurality of fins that are operatively connected to the fluid tube 68. With this arrangement, fins 70 provide an increased surface area to enable enhanced heat exchange between, for example, forced air currents passing through main body portion 62 and fluid transported through the fluid tube 68. That is, a flow of fluid is passed into inlet member 65. The flow of fluid passes through fluid tube 68 before exiting outlet member 66. While passing through fluid tube 68, air currents passing through main body portion 62 exchange heat with the fluid. With this arrangement, passing fluid and through heat exchanger 60 will lower the temperature of the air currents passing through heat exchanger 60.

First environmental conditioner 32 further includes a forced air system 82 that is operatively connected to heat exchanger 60. More specifically, forced air system 82 includes a main body section 87 having an outer edger section 92 that defines an inner opening 94. A fin member 98 is operatively positioned within inner opening 94 and is selectively operated to direct forced air currents through heat exchanger 60 and perforated tile 40 into computer room 2. More specifically, fan 98 includes a central hub 100 having a plurality of blades configured to direct an airflow through heat exchanger 60 as will be discussed more fully below. Forced air system 82 is operatively connected to heat exchanger 60 which, in turn is connected to perforated tile 40 through a plurality of mechanical fasteners, shown as bolts 103-106. In this manner, first environmental conditioner 32 can be readily disassembled in order to affect any necessary maintenance and/or repairs. Of course, while shown as being joined through mechanical fasteners such as bolts 103-106 a variety of other means can be employed to achieve the necessary bonding of components.

Environmental conditioner 32 is selectively operated to direct cooling air into computer room 2. More specifically, computer server 4 is provided with a sensor 114 that detects a temperature within computer room 2. When the temperature rises to a predetermined point, forced air system 82 is activated and liquid is passed through heat exchanger 60. The forced air system directs a forced air current at a first temperature into main body portion 62 of heat exchanger 60. The forced air is in a heat exchange relationship with fins 72 and the liquid passing through the plurality of fluid tubes 68. With this arrangement, the air exiting heat exchanger 60 is at a second, lower temperature. The air then passes through the plurality of perforations/openings of 48 within perforated tile 40 into computer room 2. Environmental conditioner 32 is operated until sensor 14 detects that the temperature within computer room 2 has fallen back to prescribed levels. Of course, it should be understood that first and second environmental conditioners 32, 33 can be operated individually and/or in tandem depending upon the cooling requirements of computer room 2. In addition, it should be understood that while two environmental conditioners 32, 33 are shown in connection with computer room 2 additional environmental conditioners can be added depending upon desired cooling affect and the number of heat generating components arranged within the computer room 2.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, element components, and/or groups thereof.

While the preferred embodiment to the invention had been described, it will be understood that those skilled in the art, both now and in the future, may make various improvements and enhancements which fall within the scope of the claims which follow. These claims should be construed to maintain the proper protection for the invention first described. 

1. An environmental conditioning system for a computer room, the environmental conditioning system comprising: a perforated tile; a heat exchanger mounted to the perforated tile; and a forced air system mounted to the heat exchanger, the forced air system being configured and disposed to direct a flow of air having a first temperature into the heat exchanger, the flow of air exits the heat exchanger at a second temperature and passes through the perforated tile into the computer room, the second temperature being distinct from the first temperature.
 2. The environmental conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger includes an inlet member and an outlet member between which extends at least one fluid tube.
 3. The environmental conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the heat exchanger is mounted directly to the perforated tile.
 4. The environmental conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the forced air system includes a fan mounted directly to the heat exchanger.
 5. The environmental conditioning system according to claim 1, wherein the second temperature is lower than the first temperature.
 6. A computer room floor system comprising: a support grid defining a plenum, the support grid including a plurality of tile receiving portions; and at least one environmental conditioning system mounted to the support grid, the at least one cooling system including: at least one perforated tile arranged in one of the plurality of tile receiving portions; a heat exchanger mounted to the perforated tile; and a forced air system mounted to the heat exchanger, the forced air system being configured and disposed to direct a flow of air having a first temperature into the heat exchanger, the flow of air exits the heat exchanger at a second temperature and passes through the perforated tile into the computer room, the second temperature being distinct from the first temperature.
 7. The computer room floor system according to claim 6, wherein the heat exchanger includes an inlet member and an outlet member between which extends at least one fluid tube.
 8. The computer room floor system according to claim 6, wherein the heat exchanger is mounted directly to the perforated tile.
 9. The computer room floor system according to claim 6, wherein the forced air system includes a fan mounted directly to the heat exchanger.
 10. The computer room floor system according to claim 6, wherein the at least one environmental conditioning system includes a first environmental conditioning system and a second environmental conditioning system.
 11. The computer room floor system according to claim 6, wherein the second temperature is lower than the first temperature such that the environmental conditioning system provides a cooling effect.
 12. A method of conditioning a computer room, the method comprising: generating a flow of air having a first temperature; guiding the flow of air into a heat exchanger mounted to a perforated tile; conditioning the flow of air to have a second temperature, the second temperature being distinct from the first temperature; and passing the flow of air at the second temperature through the perforated tile into the computer room.
 13. The method of claim 12, wherein generating the flow of air includes creating a flow of air in a plenum arranged below the computer room.
 14. The method of claim 13, wherein creating the flow of air includes operating a fan mounted directly to the heat exchanger in the plenum.
 15. The method of claim 13, wherein passing the flow of air through the perforated tile includes guiding the flow of air through a floor system in the computer room, the perforated tile forming part of the floor system.
 16. The method of claim 12, further comprising: passing a flow of liquid through the heat exchanger, the flow of liquid conditioning the air flow to the second temperature.
 17. The method of claim 16, wherein passing the flow of liquid through the heat exchanger includes passing water though the heat exchanger.
 18. The method of claim 12, further comprising: passing the flow of air through the perforated tile directly to an inlet of a computer system arranged within the computer room.
 19. The method of claim 18, wherein passing the flow of air directly to the inlet of the computer system includes discharging the flow of air toward an inlet of a computer system supported on a floor system directly adjacent the perforated tile.
 20. The method of claim 12, further comprising: sensing a temperature in the computer room; and passing the flow of air through the perforated tile into the computer room based on the temperature. 